McClenathan Is Quickest at Pomona

Cory McClenathan of Anaheim ran the second-quickest quarter mile in drag racing history, 4.784 seconds, in his top-fuel dragster during second-round qualifying Friday for the Chief Auto Parts Winternationals at the Pomona Fairplex.

Only Eddie Hill’s 4.779 seconds, set at Pomona last November in the Winston Finals, ranks ahead of McClenathan’s elapsed time in the National Hot Rod Assn. record books.

Winston champions Cruz Pedregon and Warren Johnson set track records in their specialties. Pedregon ran 5.108 seconds in his McDonald’s Cutlass funny car, and Johnson reached 194.04 m.p.h. in his pro stock Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Qualifying continues today for Sunday’s final eliminations.